NFL: No to the kneel down

The National Football League captivates a nation that loves fast-paced, violent action among men who are big, strong and fast.

But the NFL has some issues.

And it goes beyond concussions, substance abuse and whether "Grandpa" Brett Favre will be asked to come out of retirement for the 100th time. Just say no, Fav-ra.

The issue is the way that too many games end -- with a quarterback whose team is ahead kneeling down to kill the remaining minute or two left on the clock. In the jargon of the NFL, it's called "taking a knee."

This is a big deal for a few reasons, including the millions of dollars that gamblers lose in Vegas when a quarterback takes a knee. Those gamblers probably would like to do something else with that knee.

It also affects the world of fantasy football. (Insert sigh here for the 10 people who don't play fantasy football.)

For instance, in a game on Oct. 20, Kansas City's defense swatted the ball out of Houston quarterback Case Keenum's hand, and KC recovered at Houston's 1-yard line.

So instead of giving the ball to running back Jamaal Charles for an easy score, what happens? Yep. KC quarterback Alex Smith takes the dreaded knee. Some fantasy players with Jamaal Charles in their lineup shook their head in disgust.

Of course, that reaction is silly. Petty. Immature. Juvenile.

Me? I just threw down my newspaper and turned off the TV. Much more mature.

But forget about those personally invested in the outcome.

What other sport ends in such a blah fashion? I can't think of one.

If you saw the last play of Saturday night's World Series game, you know that it ended with St. Louis beating Boston on a rarely called infielder's obstruction.

An umpire ruled that third basemen Will Middlebrooks, on the ground, tripped Allen Craig as he tried to run home. You had to see it to believe it.

Twitter blew up, and so did all of New England.

Or how about Sunday's night's Game 4? It ended with Boston pitcher Koji Uehara picking off St. Louis pinch runner Kolten Wong at first base -- the first time a postseason game ever ended that way.